I’ve received the Galaxy S26 cases, and I couldn’t be happier with the new design
The last couple of years have been on the boring side for Galaxy S fans, but 2026 is very interesting, especially the Galaxy S26 Ultra. While we’ve seen plenty of rumors about minor design changes and hardware upgrades, the first cases of the phones just arrived on my doorstep over the weekend, and they give me an idea of what to expect when Samsung announces everything this week.
My favorite cases so far (unsurprisingly) come from Thinborne, a company in Frisco, Texas, that makes ultrathin aramid fiber cases. These are almost always my favorite cases because they provide a sleek look and add zero bulk to the phone, keeping the in-hand feel of a “naked” phone without the sleek metal and glass components.
The exterior of the case has a checkered carbon fiber pattern and is very sturdy, so you won’t drop the phone even in sub-zero conditions. This one feels good and holds up all year and looks good doing it, too.
The case retains the comfortable rounded corners and makes those flat edges easier to pick up as the material plays more tactile than the metal frame of most Galaxy phones.
Magsafe’s built-in magnet is incredibly strong and will cling to any magnetic-based accessory as if its life depended on it. Considering I’m probably using magnetic-based accessories these days, it’s another box this case checks for me.
Better yet, this year’s cases come in a variety of striking colors. Normally, these cases are just black aramid fiber, but Thinborne has gone all out with the S26 series. I personally recommend the red case, as it has the best craftsmanship thanks to the black-and-red motif.
If you’ve never used an aramid fiber case before, here’s what to expect. The material is tough, so it’s designed to mold perfectly around your phone like skin. Since it’s a durable material, it will protect against scratches and some drops, but it’s not built as thick as the Otterbox case, so people who tend to drop their phones may want to opt for something more substantial.
As usual, Thinborne packs a tempered glass protector in the box to ensure that your phone’s screen is protected from scratches and falls, which helps to strengthen the only weakness of this style of case (the absence of a lip on the screen to protect it). That also means you don’t need to buy anything else immediately after grabbing one of these cases, which is great after spending a bunch of money on new phones.
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It also has a raised camera hump to protect the new camera hardware inside the phones, and that makes me excited to see what Samsung has planned for the S26 series. After all, the company has been teasing the development of larger cameras before the launch, and the size of this camera island behind the cases tells me that it will do something special this year.
It may be a few weeks before we all get our new Galaxy S26 phones, but at least we can grab some good cases before the launch and make sure the phones are fully protected when they arrive!
Thinborne
Samsung Galaxy S26 cases
Thinborne makes a case for every Samsung Galaxy S26 model, and it comes in a few more awesome colors this year too! Find the best slim cases with a built-in MagSafe ring, and a free tempered glass screen protector with every box.
Samsung Galaxy S26: Black
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus: Black
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Black, Navy Blue, Crimson Red
